8-5-6-3: COMPLIANCE CRITERIA FOR EXISTING SSTS:
   A.    SSTS built before April 1, 1996, outside of areas designated as shoreland areas, wellhead protection areas, or SSTS providing sewage treatment for food, beverage, or lodging establishments must have at least two feet (2') of vertical separation between the bottom of the dispersal system and seasonal saturation or bedrock. The vertical separation measurement shall be made outside the area of system influence in an area of similar soil. (Minnesota rules 7082.0100, subpart 1(D))
   B.    SSTS built after March 31, 1996, or SSTS located in a shoreland area, wellhead protection area, or serving a food, beverage, or lodging establishment as defined under Minnesota rules 7080.1100, subpart 84 must have a three foot (3') vertical separation between the bottom soil infiltrative surface and the periodically saturated soil and/or bedrock. Unless otherwise determined by the department, existing systems that have no more than a fifteen percent (15%) reduction to the minimum required thirty six inch (36") separation distance are considered compliant (i.e., a separation distance no less than 30.6 inches). This reduction is to account for settling of sand or soil, normal variation of separation distance measurements and interpretation of limiting layer characteristics. The vertical separation measurement shall be made outside the area of system influence in an area of similar soil. (Ord. 1219, 10-25-2010)